Blog

Articles written by Ivan Melo and Cathy Okada. Most articles are also available in português and español.

Back on the Aikido Path

Back on the Aikido Path: A Gyodokan student's reflection on returning to training after years away. Written by Pete Roythorne I’ve been in or around Aikido for close to 30 years now . In that time I’ve had a long absence from training. But even while exploring other...

No Beginning and No End

Picture: Cathy Okada & Ivan Melo at Kōshōji in Uji, in 2023 on the anniversary of their Jukai ceremony. Written by Cathy Okada"Very great congratulations on your Jukai and really happy to join you on the Way without beginning or end!”  A zen teacher and fellow...

A Year of Gyodokan

A reflection, written by Ivan Melo, September 2024 As we return to training after our short summer break, with great memories and sharpened skills from the Aikido of London summer camp, we can’t help but to also remember it’s been a year since Gyodokan opened its...

Aikido Styles

Written by Ivan Melo In the world of Aikido, it has become extremely popular to talk about styles. The most common one, is considering a political entity or institution a “style”. “They are Aikikai”, “he is from Iwama”, “she does Tomiki” and so on. Also often...

Hai, Sensei!

Article by Ivan Melo “The Japanese way of teaching and learning anything, whether it is art or making sushi or practicing Zen, is a lot of watching, eventual doing, being super confused and yet not asking questions, having someone inevitably correct you, and then...

Kenshō- Seeing One’s True Nature

Pictured: "Kenshō" Shodo piece by Ivan Melo on Gyodokan Kamiza. About our new dojo calligraphy piece​. by Ivan Melo (18.04.2024) This week our dojo got a new calligraphy piece for the kamiza, the altar to which we face at the beginning and ending of every class.  ...
Back on the Aikido Path
Back on the Aikido Path

Back on the Aikido Path: A Gyodokan student's reflection on returning to training after years away. Written by Pete Roythorne I’ve been in or around Aikido for close to 30 years now . In that time I’ve had a long absence from training. But even while exploring other...

read more
No Beginning and No End
No Beginning and No End

Picture: Cathy Okada & Ivan Melo at Kōshōji in Uji, in 2023 on the anniversary of their Jukai ceremony. Written by Cathy Okada"Very great congratulations on your Jukai and really happy to join you on the Way without beginning or end!”  A zen teacher and fellow...

read more
A Year of Gyodokan
A Year of Gyodokan

A reflection, written by Ivan Melo, September 2024 As we return to training after our short summer break, with great memories and sharpened skills from the Aikido of London summer camp, we can’t help but to also remember it’s been a year since Gyodokan opened its...

read more
Aikido Styles
Aikido Styles

Written by Ivan Melo In the world of Aikido, it has become extremely popular to talk about styles. The most common one, is considering a political entity or institution a “style”. “They are Aikikai”, “he is from Iwama”, “she does Tomiki” and so on. Also often...

read more
Hai, Sensei!
Hai, Sensei!

Article by Ivan Melo “The Japanese way of teaching and learning anything, whether it is art or making sushi or practicing Zen, is a lot of watching, eventual doing, being super confused and yet not asking questions, having someone inevitably correct you, and then...

read more
Kenshō- Seeing One’s True Nature
Kenshō- Seeing One’s True Nature

Pictured: "Kenshō" Shodo piece by Ivan Melo on Gyodokan Kamiza. About our new dojo calligraphy piece​. by Ivan Melo (18.04.2024) This week our dojo got a new calligraphy piece for the kamiza, the altar to which we face at the beginning and ending of every class.  ...

read more
Contact

St Matthew's Church Hall, North Common Road, Ealing W5 3QA (no mail by post)

Hours

Mondays

6:30pm-7pm: Zazen

7:10pm-8:30pm Aikido (Adults)

Tuesdays:

6:30pm-7:30pm: Aikido (Adults & under 18s)

7:30pm-8:30pm: Weapons

Thursdays

6:30pm-7:30pm: Aikido (Adults & under 18s)

7:30pm-8:30pm: Aikido (Adults)